EVENT | ZUGZWANG | SEPTEMBER 21-28

[ironwood]

Characters: ALL!
Date: September 21-28, 2014
Location: Keeliai
Situation: Something in the city has caused the Foreigner's powers to go off the charts, affecting even those who wouldn't possess any. Things pretty much go downhill from there...
Warnings/Rating: Add warnings as needed.

The state of affairs in Keeliai has been tense since the incident at the Midnight Hotel with Evandau, and the aftereffects have put a touch of pall on the city. Kedan look at each other distrustfully, wondering who among their number might be possessed by Malicant's essence and that suspicion carries to the Foreigners as well. How can they fight for us? they seem to be asking. They can't even stop fighting amongst themselves and the Emperor. Of course, the kedan's opinion of Evandau is likewise not exactly stellar any longer, as whether through inevitability or design, his cold actions of killing those who cross him has come to light. While there's no open dissent in the ranks (and likely, it seems, more due to fear of repercussion than loyalty) there are certainly looks and whispers.

The turtle hatchlings have also picked up on it, and they've become quieter than normal. Especially those who are suffering under shedding the remainders of Malicant's taint if they were injured by the poisoned weapons, they'll seem hesitant to bother their parents for minor things, or if possible will ask a parent who isn't afflicted first.

It feels like the calm before a storm.

---

LINKS
Powers Going Haywire (Sept 21-25) | Powers Nullified (Sept 26-27) | PART 2 TBA (Sept 28) | OOC Plot Post

OOC NOTE
Reactions to the Part 2 plot reveal will also be threaded on this post and the comment will be unfrozen when the other posts are made. Event questions can be directed to this comment. Have fun!

Comments

[ruinsprofessor]

Raine sighed then, for she couldn't protest that over much. The Hotel was important as a neutral ground and a place of safety, and the wards being out of order was a significant problem. And yet, doing so was actively working against his healing process. "Then ask someone whose hands you trust for the work," she said, picking a middle ground. "Such as Skulduggery, since he knows sigils, correct? Or, if there's something I can do, let me help. But what you've been doing is hurting yourself and prolonging the time it will take to heal." Her tone turned disapproving as she went on, but her hands remained gentle as she concluded her examination and turned to the open kit for fresh bandages.

She almost wished it was feasible to ask Ryder to sit on Anton if he tried too much again, but that, too, would be counterproductive. "If you tell him often enough, he may start listening," she told Ryder instead, mouth curling up at the corners.

When she had what she needed, she returned to Anton and began the job of re-doing his bandages, one careful step at a time. It wasn't something she had cause to do often, so though she knew what she was doing progress would be a little slow.

[gistful]

"Skulduggery doesn't have the knowledge of sigils necessary, nor the patience to transcribe what I dictate to him," Anton explained. "And no one else has the proper background." Except, possibly, Bakura; but Anton wasn't quite sure yet whether he wanted a thief in his Hotel without the means to defend it, and he doubted Bakura had the patience to be scribe either.

"The wards themselves are nullified also, regardless; it is simpler if I draft the repairs on paper first."

He shifted slightly in-between Raine's examination and the bandaging, not exactly glancing back but trying to be accommodating. "Sigils are dependent upon much more than their visual form," he said. "The depth at which they're inscribed, and their size in relation to themselves and sigils around them, and the way in which they're combined, all contribute to how they work. It's difficult to explain such notes to a layman, even in blueprint."

[ruinsprofessor]

"They're that contextual?" Raine was instantly fascinated, leaning briefly around to give Anton an unrepentantly curious look. "Inhale, please, I want to make sure you can breathe easily enough. No wonder the language takes such time for mastery, with that many variables. Were sigils created by humans, or did people simply learn of them? It seems more like meaning is derived from them, rather than ascribed to them."

He had, however, succeeded in temporarily distracting her from the more salient point, and she drew herself back to that even as she continued her work. "If you're the only person capable of the necessary work," she said reluctantly, and shook her head. More quietly, she added, "Still, please be more careful, Anton."

[gistful]

"They are." Anton smiled a bit as he inhaled, slow and deep. It had been a long time since he'd needed this sort of tending, but he found himself falling into the habits once more easily. "Most don't bother. Those that do dedicate their lives to do it. No one knows for certain from whence they came; some claim that the first sorcerers created them. Others claim it was the language of the Ancients. Still others believe it was the language of the evil gods who ruled them, but most who believe that are worshippers themselves."

There was really no telling for sure, and most people didn't even bother to think about it. Sigils, for most, were a resource to be taken-for-granted, which had always been there and always would be.

"I will try," he said, equally quietly.

"I'll help!" Ryder chirruped.

[ruinsprofessor]

Raine adjusted the bandaging a bit to give him better room to breathe. It would constrict a little out of necessity, but not overmuch, and her hands were surer with the remainder of the work. "What do you think?" she asked, for he hadn't really voiced his own opinion on the matter of their origins. It honestly perplexed her why more people wouldn't bother; surely a language so closely related to their magic would be at least worth learning the very basics of. "And, although it's something for another time, how long would it take to learn some of the more basic concepts?"

That she was curious went without saying. The idea was also beginning to tweak familiarity, pertaining to magitechnology and the ways mana was manipulated, and that was a concept worth exploring farther. If there was time and space enough, later.

"Thank you," she said at length, with an accompanying smile for Ryder to include him in that as well. 'Try' was probably the best she could hope for from Anton right now. It was a start.

[gistful]

"I've no opinion," Anton said honestly, "though I would not be surprised by either one. Magic has a long history, if one shrouded in hearsay and myth. It is difficult to tell what the truth might be, now. The basic concepts aren't difficult--many sorcerers know a handful. But the language works in ways different to nearly all others, and most people find understand its ways hard to comprehend well enough to be proficient."

'Proficiency', in sigils, was something few people got to be. Anton was one of them. But the only master of whom he knew, at least in Ireland, was China Sorrows; and she had sacrificed the entirety of her life to them.

[ruinsprofessor]

"Hm," she said, thoughtful. "That, too, seems to be a common thread in worlds with magic." She was by now nearly done, just making final adjustments to be sure the bandaging job would hold. "Even so, if you're willing to teach, I'd like to learn." Another time, certainly, as she'd said, but if the opportunity arose she wouldn't pass it up.

In another few moments Raine had finished, and was sure enough of her work to take her hands off it. "How does that feel?" she added, stepping away to tidy her kit. She watched Anton more than the kit itself as she did, to judge his reaction and the ease of his movement.

[gistful]

It was something to do with his time, Anton supposed--though he certainly had plenty to occupy himself currently. But if anything happened to him, and to the Hotel, having others on whom to call to aid with repairs would only prove beneficial to the Hotel's state.

"Of course," he said. "I have already shown Master Bakura some basics, if you know him. His native language was similar in many ways. Though the manner of writing is different, they are both multi-dimensional and are valued for the aesthetic and ability to incorporate complex concepts within relatively small images. Speaking to him about his native language may be beneficial as to an understanding of both languages."

When Raine moved away Anton rose and stretched, carefully to test his range of motion without placing undue stress on the injuries. "It will suffice," he said, pulling his shirt back on over his shoulders. "Thank you."

[ruinsprofessor]

Raine was definitely going to have to do that, the next time she caught Bakura at an amiable moment. "Yes, I know him," she said. "And he's been willing to speak of his home before, so that may prove fruitful."

The bandaging still wasn't as good a job as she would like-- but then, Raine would prefer that she be able to heal him entirely. The faint disapproval that showed through was more at the situation than at Anton himself. "Of course," she said aloud. It was hardly worth thanking her for; how could she not help? "I wish I could do more." Satisfied that he could move and was not going to be injuring himself further in the immediate future, she turned to Ryder, this time to give a proper headrub.

[gistful]

"You did as much as you could," said Anton, "which is invaluable on its own." He finished buttoning his shirt, slowly to make sure he didn't pull anything Raine had just finished bandaging. Ryder leaned into the head-rub with a happy trill.

"Would you care for Ryder to remain here?" Anton suggested, and then added, "I will promise to restrain my activities without a guardian to watch me, if so."

[ruinsprofessor]

She'd heard something rather similar the day before, from Skulduggery. The point was one worth being reminded of, apparently.

It had been a busy week all told, and Raine was missing Ryder's presence. She was sure he'd stay if asked, but all things considered it wasn't a wise decision, and she shook her head, rueful. "Should something happen, I'm not equipped to defend us both. I... may accompany you back, however, at least for a little while."

[gistful]

"Of course," said Anton, "if that is what you would prefer. I could use some additional help, if you would like something to do in the interim." Work, he'd found, worked wonders to help ease the feeling of helplessness, even if it wasn't the same sort of work to which Raine was accustomed.

"Like the laundry!" Ryder chirruped, and then whispered to Anton alone, "please please not the cooking."

[ruinsprofessor]

Oblivious to Ryder's completely accurate assessment of her cooking skills, Raine thought over the option only a moment or two before nodding. "Yes," she said, "I think that'd be better." And if she was completely honest with herself she could use more to do than simply chasing her own thoughts in circles. "Thank you." That last for Anton and Ryder both, and as much for their presence as for the offer of something to do with her hands.

[gistful]

"Of course," said Anton, wondering exactly how bad Master Sage's cooking had to be in order to make their usually polite foster-turtle beg that so unashamedly. "Have you anything to collect before we leave?"

[ruinsprofessor]

It was probably for the best Anton didn't find out the specifics.

"No," Raine said, then paused, changed her mind. Even if she couldn't use it as a focus for magic, her staff was still a solid length of wood with a heavy metal head, and in a pinch would be good to have at her side. Just in case. She snagged it from the corner in which she'd left it, and nodded. "All right. Shall we?"